I hope one of the wide receivers break out, but i think I'm most hyped for Cade Uluave at linebacker. The kid was a playmaker last year, and I cant wait to see him take the next step.

Some honorable mentions:
Marcus Harris
David Reese
Jake Endries
Ryan Coe - yes I get excited by some good kicking

Shot out of a cannon Cade

Cade, and to a similar degree, the rest of the linebackers.

Hoping for a big year from the tight ends - Endries, Dyches and whomever else may emerge.
Yes, excited to see the middle linebackers Uluave & Buchanen - lots of talent here.

The Jet

Reese fo sho, also Uluave, Merriweather, Calloway, Nando, Rogers and Trond.

calumnus said:

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The Jet

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Massively under rated. Can't wait. Also excited to see Grayes, and Coe booting some long ones. Looking forward to touchbacks there, too. So much to get excited for this season.

golden sloth said:

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I hope one of the wide receivers break out, but i think I'm most hyped for Cade Uluave at linebacker. The kid was a playmaker last year, and I cant wait to see him take the next step.

Some honorable mentions:
Marcus Harris
David Reese
Jake Endries
Ryan Coe - yes I get excited by some good kicking

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For me Cade, Reese, and Coe. I agree with you about the kicking game being huge between field position and decision making impacts late in the half/game as well as between the 25 and 40 yard line. We could easily have won a couple more games last year with a guy like Coe.

Tobias and Dyches

I love good NG play. Can't wait to see healthy Correia and McKenzie plug up the middle repeatedly on runs and collapse the pocket on passing plays.

No one person by name, but it would be nice for a WR or two to have a breakout season. Someone to complement Ott.

Hoping Cade can be even better than last year. He has a bright future if he continues to improve off an amazing freshmen year.

I am really excited to see how David Reese does this season. Seemed to really turn it on towards the end of last season.

Craig Woodson.

bluehenbear said:

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No one person by name, but it would be nice for a WR or two to have a breakout season. Someone to complement Ott.

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And a TE contributing yards would be nice, too.

CJ Harris will be a factor this year.

I'm hoping for a great year for Uluave, but after witnessing the colossal sophomore slump of Earby last year, I'm a little on edge, hoping Cade's the real deal. Sorry, but that's my life as a Cal fan: worry.

No one single player besides Ott jumps out to me, but I have good feelings and semi-high expectations about dozens of the guys. Okay, what if Reese and/or Carlton just blow up! That'd be really cool. Our defense would all of a sudden be good and people would say that Sirmon had suddenly found 20-30 IQ points.

calumnus said:

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The Jet

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Is he going to return punts or kickoffs? Who are the designated specialists there right now?

The kid from Utah will be a big part of the return game (Matthews) and perhaps Brady from NMS. We should be better on KR and PR this year.

Uluave is a real FB player. Sans injury this kid will wreak havoc all year, I'm not worried about his play making ability in the least bit.

UrsineMaximus said:

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Uluave is a real FB player. Sans injury this kid will wreak havoc all year, I'm not worried about his play making ability in the least bit.

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I hope you're right about Uluave and I think you are. Late last fall, despite Sirmon/Wilcox saying that he was still learning the defense, he showed an intuition / "football IQ", whatever you want to call it, that seemed uncanny. Reminded me most closely of Mikey Mo.

UrsineMaximus said:

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The kid from Utah will be a big part of the return game (Matthews) and perhaps Brady from NMS. We should be better on KR and PR this year.

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Any chance Ott returns kicks again like he did for the final two games of last season? His first touch was a 100 yard return against UCLA for our first TD giving us te lead 5:00 minutes before the half and we never looked back. It sparked the rout.

Not a player, but I'm crossing my fingers for the Offensive Coordinator to have a breakout year, which means the players had a breakout year.

Big C said:

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I'm hoping for a great year for Uluave, but after witnessing the colossal sophomore slump of Earby last year, I'm a little on edge, hoping Cade's the real deal. Sorry, but that's my life as a Cal fan: worry.

No one single player besides Ott jumps out to me, but I have good feelings and semi-high expectations about dozens of the guys. Okay, what if Reese and/or Carlton just blow up! That'd be really cool. Our defense would all of a sudden be good and people would say that Sirmon had suddenly found 20-30 IQ points.

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Yes. A lot of players excited to see. I am particularly excited to see if Reese and Carlton will play like they have shown in camp or is that more a function of less than stellar OL play.

Also Merriweather, Grayes, Matthews and Calloway on offense. And Buchanan, Harris and Uluave on defense. Coe as the kicker is a very intriguing player. If he performs as he has in practice he will make an impact.

The OL and QB are probably the keys to a good season. The staff has added some good pieces now it is time to see if they can coach and scheme to a good season or not.

I'm sure Ott would love to return kicks. The risk/reward of his ability versus risking injury on a kick off is the trade off.

UrsineMaximus said:

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I'm sure Ott would love to return kicks. The risk/reward of his ability versus risking injury on a kick off is the trade off.

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During the UCLA game last year, I was commenting in the game post and making that exact point and declaring the coaching staff as stupid for putting Ott in that position. He then ripped off the 100 yard TD.

My moment as a message board genius.

For the sake of the team needing to win and win a lot this fall, I am hoping that the DL & OLBs in particular shine
- Reese and Carlton, etc.
- Ricky, Nate and TJ, etc.
If these guys break out then it likely means we are putting pressure on the opponents' QBs and we are shutting down opposing offenses!

I am most excited by overall team speed - like we used to have with DeSean, Best, etc. WRs, RBs and DBs are much faster, according to most.

Last year at Oregon I was watching our DBs just not keep up. It was so painful. Not having that pain - hopefully - will be delightful.

Plus watching Reese get 12 sacks.

tc3590 said:

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Hoping Cade can be even better than last year. He has a bright future if he continues to improve off an amazing freshmen year.

I am really excited to see how David Reese does this season. Seemed to really turn it on towards the end of last season.

Craig Woodson.

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Both Woodson's and Vatikani's names are not on the latest depth chart (8/23). Either would be a great loss. HC's have been known to keep key players out of the conversation this close to opening day to protect them from freak injuries in the last days of practice. I hope that's what's going on here.

Love to see Nick Morrow have an outstanding year. As the O Line goes, the entire team goes. With a good OL, we will score a lot of points!

Uluave

Rushinbear said:

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tc3590 said:

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Hoping Cade can be even better than last year. He has a bright future if he continues to improve off an amazing freshmen year.

I am really excited to see how David Reese does this season. Seemed to really turn it on towards the end of last season.

Craig Woodson.

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Both Woodson's and Vatikani's names are not on the latest depth chart (8/23). Either would be a great loss. HC's have been known to keep key players out of the conversation this close to opening day to protect them from freak injuries in the last days of practice. I hope that's what's going on here.

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Maybe hold them out of UC Davis game?

Chandler Rogers, the transfer from North Texas. Would not be surprised if Cal gives him an early look since he is a senior, with very good reviews, and is a seniior while Mendoza is a sophomore.